Dentists can play an instrumental role in solving our national health care crisis. Our profession must lead this change rather than let it come from without.
This article presents an introduction to concepts of professionalism within dentistry for dentists, students and others within the dental profession.
Definition
Dentists are health care professionals specializing in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of oral cavity-related conditions such as oral cancer. Dentists also treat issues pertaining to maxillofacial regions (which encompass the mouth and jaw areas). As well as patient education and diagnostic services such as x-rays and exams, dental treatments include restorative dentistry (dentures, crowns and bridges), orthodontics (braces), endodontics (root canal therapy), periodontics (gum disease) and oral surgery. Dentists also prescribe medications like antibiotics, fluorides, anesthetics and sedatives. Dentists are trained in scientific methods of research and analysis as well as applying results of this research in clinical practice. Dentists must remain up-to-date with new developments in their field and use this knowledge in their practice. Around 1840s, dental schools and national dental organizations were founded along with new techniques.
History
Since Hippocrates and Aristotle first described how teeth emerged and treated decayed tooth decay, dentistry has seen much advancement. The first tools designed for pulling teeth and other oral procedures were invented around 1400 CE.
In the 1700s, dentistry became more defined. French surgeon Pierre Fauchard, known as the “Father of Modern Dentistry”, published a comprehensive system for caring and treating teeth; he later pioneered fillings and prosthesis; further disproving any notion that tooth worms caused decay in teeth.
After this breakthrough, new dental techniques and materials were introduced, professional organizations formed for dentists, journals were published, dental schools opened their doors for teaching purposes, national dental associations were formed, and in 1862 the first Dental Practice Act in America required dentists to pass state medical boards before becoming licensed practitioners.
Specializations
Dentists may choose one of nine dental specialties as an area of concentration for their expertise, ranging from oral pathology and pediatric dentistry to endodontics and prosthodontics (replacing missing or crooked teeth with dentures and dental implants).
Oral (and maxillofacial) surgery is another specialty within dentistry that deals with diseases, defects and injuries to jaws and other facial tissues like tongues, cheeks and gums. Oral surgeons specialize in performing tooth extractions as well as correcting cleft lips or palates – among many other procedures.
Other specialists include dental public health, which focuses on preventing oral disease in populations; geriatric dentistry for older patients who face unique dietary, medication and health challenges; and dental anesthesiology who works alongside other dentists and oral health specialists to manage pain before, during, and after surgical and diagnostic procedures in the mouth and jaws.
Certification
Dentists must obtain their license to practice in their jurisdiction, which involves completing an extensive educational program and passing written and clinical exams. Most jurisdictions also mandate residency training programs which give dentists hands-on experience within the dental field.
Denticontists employ problem-solving skills to identify and diagnose oral health problems and determine the most suitable treatments. Dentists also rely on excellent communication abilities when teaching patients about preventative dentistry, and must read nonverbal cues from patients when discussing comfort levels or approval of procedures.dentist jeddah
Dentists require not only technical expertise but also possessing a strong work ethic and team management abilities. Furthermore, this profession requires manual dexterity for placing fillings or dentures correctly as well as lifelong learning since advances in science and medicine continue to emerge.